It's not about me...

Bros...David and Javier




Juan...a little boy with lots of hurts. I'm trying to love on him and sometimes it's hard.




Yes, Chad, Abulardo is still here!




Jazmine was my biggest helper as we made cinnamon rolls for everyone!




Carlos and Jordan...this one is for you! Batman Tonito!




Marta is such a sweet girl. I love her!




A boy and his toy!




My pic of the day...Karyelly!




Ashley and Ramon...Every boy loves to have his pic taken with a beautiful girl!




We have a full house. About every seat is taken! 23 new kids in the past 2 weeks. Another orphanage is in a crisis...so we are helping out.




He's not barefoot and he's not pregnant! For church this morning many people gave him cards and offerings to celebrate children's day and he stuffed all the offerings down his shirt. He was thrilled to say the least!!!




Brisayda and a guitar...a cute combo!




Andrea entertaining herself this afternoon!





Ashley and her beau (at least he thinks he is)!




Craft time!




Lorena and Sara...2 sweet girls!




Parties and pinatas!




Red soda drinkers--here's proof!




Jackie leading prayer for dinner...it was so cute the way she was half-peeking!




Armondo and Cielo!




A stray puppy with a new girl. How cute!




Ahhh...Andrea!




Ruby!





Belem helping me make 2 calls at once. This shot was taken when both were talking to her at the same time! FUNNY! It won't surprise you to learn she handled it with no problem!





SLURP!





Silvia and Johana...everyone shares!




Lady insisted on being between the sisters!




Veronica





Gustavo doing his chores.





Karen and one of her bad hair days...




Rosa and her sister Nellie!





Luz...a faithful kitchen worker!




Brenda, Ruby and Karen




Lola has been replaced. Introducing Scoobie! He loves everyone. He first started protecting the boys dorm...and now roams from dorm to dorm watching out for everyone!




More tables from FBC!




Alondra working hard in the kitchen!




Karyelli and Jackie having fun. I wish you could have heard the giggles!




Hey FBC...our strudy talbes are being used!!!




The day began with prayer early in the morning. The common prayer request this morning from the children was for family. They keep praying that their parents would come and get them or at least visit and for their salvation. This is so different than the prayers you get in the states. How many of us have prayed for a family to finally come and claim us? When was the last time we got down on our knees and pleaded for the salvation of our parents so they would bring us back home? It was very humbling to be hearing their despert, heartfelt cries.

This afternoon we made cinnamon rolls. It was a great chance to work with several of the kids. The new Tia in charge of the kitchen has new rules...so it took some adjustments. No big deal...just no licking of fingers...spoons, bowls, etc. The adjustments? It's a secret!!! I must say, though, that Tia Norma is doing an awesome job in the kitchen! Everything is secure and super efficient. Rosa said that Tia Norma is just the kind of gal she was praying for and I have to agree! She is very energetic and full of smiles....plus I might add that I like her fashion flair. :)

Mama and Papa leave for Dallas tomorrow...and we are praying it will be a week of complete rest.

I just got into my room a few minutes ago...so let me share my recent adventure. After baking 223 cinnamon rolls with no nap...I was ready to crash after the chores were done by the older girls. We loaded up on the bus to ride up the girls dorm where I am staying. Papa asked if I would loan him a book I just read so I quickly unlocked my door, grabbed the book, laid the keys on the table and stepped outside my dorm and gave him the book. While doing so, I heard my door shut behind me because of the wind. I wasn't concerned because I didn't think it would lock. BUT IT DID. All the older girls except for Jazmine went into their rooms and began to settle in for the night. I was locked out...and Papa drove back home (thinking I would somehow get in). He sent back a container that had all the spare keys for the new girls dorm. No problem. It seemed like 972 keys...but I tried them all and none worked. Then I tried them all twice. The tears were welling up and the sun had set. I walked back down choking back tears and I really felt alone. I called my Prince (which probably was not a good idea since he felt totally helpless) and then I poured my heart out to God. When I arrived at Ed and Rosa's house I asked for Eliodoro. Gary, my Prince, said that if anyone could break in...it would be him. We went back to the dorm and he could not do it (which probably is a praise...when you're inside your room). I grabbed the ramdon wads of keys again and tried them all several more times...to no avail. I cried again...and begged Jesus for help...and still felt terribly alone. Jazmine tried to comfort me by showing me pics of Mark and Jean and her new family. It helped to keep me company...but I still felt really alone and helpless. To make matters worse, Jazmine had to go to bed and then big Brenda just came back from her days off and she drove up to get her room key from me (which she let me borrow for the weekend in case I needed to crash down at the main building). I had to tell her that her room key was with my room key inside my locked room. We sat their under the stars just chatting...and then she shared with me some rough things she is going through. It made my room situation seem rather small and incidental. We talked and prayed...seeking God's wisdom for her. It was time I never would have had with her. After sitting outside on the steps for 1 1/2 hours, Tia Lydia came and she just happened to have a spare set of keys to my room. I kissed her, thanked Jesus and entered my haven. Lessons I learned...(besides making many copies of my keys first thing in the morning) are: 1. It's not about me. My comfort, my cares, my concerns aren't what is important. I am here to serve...no matter what the cost. 2. Everyone here has such a horrid past they are working through and constantly hurt from. I have been spared from so much. I need to thank God more for this. 3. When God sends a detour...don't cry...ask God how I can minister to others and quit thinking about myself. Did I pass this test with flying colors? No. But thanks to God's grace...I finally did the right thing. I just need to trust His leading.

To the family of Doc Hasty...the children and staff at Lily lifted you up in prayer this morning with vigor as you are grieving the loss of a godly man. We are asking for comfort like only He can give. We love you.